Now Is the Time to Champion Cancer Registries: Help Spread the Word

By Stephanie M. Hill, MPH, CTR, NAACCR | July 14, 2025

Recent events have made it clear: we must do more to elevate the visibility and importance of cancer surveillance. In today’s rapidly shifting public health landscape, the cancer registry community plays a pivotal role—not just in data collection, but in telling the story of why that data matters. Now more than ever, it’s critical that…

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NAACCR Education and Training Upcoming Events

By Angela Martin | July 7, 2025

NAACCR ODS Exam Prep and Review The Summer 2025 ODS Exam Prep series began on May 13, 2025.  You can still register if interested in participating. The NAACCR ODS Exam Prep and Review series is offered prior to each exam (Spring, Summer, Fall). Contact Angela Martin, if you wish to be notified when registration is…

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Standardization and Registry Development Steering Committee: Modular Records Task Force

By Lori Havener, CTR | July 7, 2025

One of the NAACCR Board strategic initiatives in the Strategic Plan is Innovative Approaches to Data Collection (Minimal Datasets and Partial Records). The objective is to monitor national activities involving rapid reporting and partial record reporting to provide guidance on the operational implications of such developments for central cancer registries. This objective falls under the…

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The Importance of Professional Certification for Cancer Registrars

By Jim Hofferkamp, BA, CTR | December 8, 2025

Professional certification plays a vital role in strengthening the cancer registry workforce and ensuring the high-quality data that is essential for cancer surveillance, research, and public health planning. For cancer registrars, achieving certification demonstrates a thorough understanding of cancer registry operations, data standards, and coding principles. It reflects an individual’s commitment to excellence and provides…

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NAACCR Education and Training Upcoming Events

By Angela Martin | December 2, 2025

  NAACCR ODS Exam Prep and Review The NAACCR ODS Exam Prep and Review series is offered prior to each exam (Spring, Summer, Fall). The Spring 2026 ODS Exam Prep and Review series registration will open December 5, 2025.  Registration for the series is $260 per participant. For more information and to register for the…

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Are You Ready for the Central Registry HL7 FHIR Implementation Guide?

By Ashley Knealing | November 24, 2025

Prior to official publication of the Central Cancer Registry Reporting HL7 FHIR Implementation Guide, the cancer registry community will have a chance to weigh in during a public comment period. Are YOU ready?  Join NAACCR on December 4, 2025, at 2:00 PM ET for an informational webinar on the Central Cancer Registry Reporting (CCRR) HL7…

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OUR MISSION

Actionable content that unites cancer registries.

The Narrative strives to provide you with information you can use to enhance and strengthen your cancer registry. Look to the Narrative for the latest cancer surveillance news, trends, advances in technology, and latest educational opportunities.

OUR VISION

Make every cancer count.

Cancer affects thousands of people across North America every year. Each cancer case must contribute to our knowledge and understanding so that we may reduce the burden of these diseases. Narrative provides a platform for the cancer surveillance community to collaborate and share data that will improve health outcomes.

CANCER REGISTRY SPOTLIGHT: MICHIGAN

Successful Linkage Between Registry Database and LexisNexis

In our ongoing commitment to enhance the quality and accessibility of data, we are thrilled to announce the successful linkage between our registry database and LexisNexis. This integration represents a significant step forward in streamlining our data processes and expanding our analytical capabilities.